5 2


‘No-deal Brexit could lead to chaos at borders’


Ian Taylor ian.taylor@travelweekly.co.uk


A no-deal Brexit threatens chaos for Brits at EU borders, a senior indstr figre arned this ee as s deated as to rea the oga on ritains eit.


Tom Jenkins, chief executive of


European travel association Etoa, said: “There will be problems in any country receiving  flights if member states do what they are supposed to do and impose [passport] checks that run 60-90 seconds longer than now.” The EU has made clear it will


require member states to treat UK arrivals as if from “third countries” if Britain leaves with no deal. Jenkins said: “If you have aircraft landing every five to  or  minutes, arrivals will soon back up spectacularly.” He said preventing a backlog at airports would “require EU members to ignore all the rules for arrivals from third countries, which Britain helped draft”. However, he suggested: “Most


places will be pragmatic. Airports cant cope ith  people standing in arrivals.” The government of Portugal


has already said it would welcome UK tourists post-Brexit and avoid queues at its borders. Portugal proposes dedicated passport- control areas and lanes for UK visitors and plans a ‘Brelcome’ marketing campaign in the UK in March. It will also guarantee UK visitors the use of Portugal’s health service if Britain falls out of the European Health Insurance Card (Ehic) system. Cox & Kings chief commercial


officer atrick ichards said “We’re in a kind of phoney war and uncertainty is the issue. Politicians don’t seem to get the message that their decisions are amplified in the media and on social media.” Thomas Cook is highlighting a


‘Brexit Price Guarantee’ in some of its agencies and has a dedicated page to address Brexit-related


questions on its website.  Border chaos feared: Business, back page


3


Scarlet Lady is due to launch in 2020


STORIES HOT


Virgin trumpets all-in commission


Harry Kemble harry.kemble@travelweekly.co.uk


gents seing irgin oages rises i earn oission on ever ooing oponent hen the ettoanh ine goes on sae in to ees tie.


President and chief executive


Tom McAlpin said he was committed to “getting rid of the things that annoy” agents. Agents, known by Virgin


Voyages as ‘First Mates’, will earn  on the entire transaction and bonus commission of up to  ased on sales volumes Commissionable components


include flights hotels shore excursions, spa treatments, premium packages, onboard credit, taxes and fees. Gratuities will also be included


in fares he first of four planned ships, Scarlet Lady, due to launch in  goes on sale on eruary  Voyage dates and names on bookings may also be changed without agents incurring penalties. Stacy Shaw, the line’s vice-


Thomas Cook is offering a Brexit Price Guarantee


president of sales, urged agents not to discount, and said: “We will actively seek to work with First


“The line has listened to agents’ grumbles, and put its money where its mouth is”


Mates who sell on value rather than price.” Cruise Circle’s Mark Godden said the commission structure was “honest” and “transparent”, adding: “It is not unique, but it is a good direction to take.” Scott Anderson, of The Luxury Cruise Company, said: “There is a lot of stigma attached to Virgin Holidays [which went direct-sell in  ut the rands are different “The line is obviously trying to get agents on board. It has spoken to a lot of agents, listened to their gripes and grumbles about other lines, and put their money where their mouth is.” But Yvonne Holmes, of


Loughton-based Classic Travel, feared Virgin Voyages could “drop us [agents] like a ton of bricks once it is successful”. She added: “I am not saying that we won’t sell it. We


will support those who support us.”  Face to Face, page 14


31 January 2019travelweekly.co.uk5


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122